The flame of excellence burned brighter than ever at The Storm King School when one of the largest groups of students in recent years was inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS). On Thursday, January 25, seven seniors and eight juniors were recognized for their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom at a traditional NHS candle-lighting ceremony held in the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre.
Headmaster Jonathan Lamb congratulating the new inductees
New inductees are carefully chosen by SKS faculty for their outstanding performance in the four areas the NHS deems essential for its members– scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These characteristics have been associated with NHS membership since its founding in 1921.
SKS’ NHS Adviser speaking at the NHS ceremony
The SKS’ NHS Adviser delivered the evening’s opening words, where he praised the Storm King chapter of NHS for its outstanding contributions to causes like the Crazy Horse Memorial, the American Cancer Society, and most recently, the Black Rock Forest Consortium.
Seniors Aryana Martin and Bridget Wickiser, speaking to the NHS audience about their campus wide green initiative
To begin the candle lighting ceremony the NHS Adviser invited four current NHS seniors to the stage, each lighting a candle representing one of NHS’ core values. Will Tian lit the candle for scholarship, Jack Besterman for service, Yumeng Grace Song for leadership, and Elizabeth Pomeroy for character.
Senior Jack Besterman speaking to the audience about his work with the Newburgh Armory United Center and their Saturday Morning Enrichment Club
Next, faculty member Patrick Martha took the microphone to name the new inductees from the senior class including Stephanie Appiah, Zay Megias, Yelyzaveta “Liza” Shligerska, Daniel Amandi -Moreno, Omofolarin “DJ” Omofayole, Polina Shklovskaya, and Giselle Morales. New inductees from the junior class were announced by faculty member Dr. Tim Lance including Tamar Haham McGowan, Asia Raacke, Caroline Hecht, Allegra Walker, Shania Roehrich, Lorenzo Pretto, Tiana Vazquez, and Zoe Stene. Each new inductee was asked to stand, then escorted to the stage by a current NHS member.
The Wickiser sisters serenade the audience at the NHS ceremony: Bridget on violin; Anna on piano
To conclude the ceremony, Jack Besterman asked the group to raise their right hands and recite the NHS Pledge. In closing, Headmaster Jonathan Lamb thanked the students for all that they do to represent the characteristics of the NHS. “Congratulations to you all. You make our school and the world a much better place, and represent the very best of Storm King,” remarked Mr. Lamb to hearty applause by the audience.